Disaster risk reduction

In WWF, we believe that disaster risk reduction and the environment are closely linked.

Disasters threaten both the lives and livelihoods of communities as well as the stability of ecosystems upon which they depend.

Poor environmental management is one of the root causes of disaster risk. In order to minimize risk to environment and communities, WWF works to integrate ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning, climate change adaptation planning as well as pre and post disaster humanitarian action.

Reducing risks

The environment can be bothsource of hazards and the means to avoid or reduce disaster risks and impacts.

Much disaster management involves measures that reduce the risk from immediate disaster impacts, such as early warning, response and evacuation systems, or infrastructure to limit hazard impacts, like embankments and flood-prevention walls.

WWF believes that in the long term, risk assessment and reduction efforts should include the environment and ecosystem-based activities, alongside more conventional, infrastructure-based measures. For example, ecosystem-based activities for risk reduction may include stabilizing hillsides with vegetation to prevent landslides, creating open spaces to absorb floodwaters, and restoring mangrove cover for coastal protection against storm surge.

Recovery and reconstruction

Disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts attempt to build back in a few years what often took communities generations to develop. At the same time, the rebuilding effort that follows represents an opportunity to rebuild communities that are more environmentally and socially sustainable than they were before.

WWF recognizes that the restoration of communities and ecosystems after disasters is a complex process that involves a wide range of actors and activities. With the right planning, the recovery process can be an opportunity to build back safer using environmentally responsible approach.

Working together for DRR

WWF’s work on disaster management was borne out of our innovative collaboration with the American Red Cross to rebuild communities and ensure sustainable reconstruction in countries impacted by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.